Recently, I have been discussing the topic of homosexuality in the church with a friend of mine. This is and has been a touchy issue without a lot of clarity and widespread agreement amongst Christians. I wonder why that is. Nevertheless, I wanted to write about it.

Reasons Why I Feel Homosexuality Is A Tough Topic

• Leaders don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings – I feel our public leaders change their true personal opinions on homosexuality due to who’s listening at the time.
• Ignorance – A lot of people often can easily misinterpret Biblical scriptures.
• Very complicated – I never understood the true complexities within sexuality. There are so many varied opinions on sexual desires, sexual sins, what’s condoned and not condoned. This issue is just one of many issues that finds itself to not be easily understood.

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Growing up as a kid, I used to read stories in the Bible about Sodom and Gomorrah, and I know that probably fueled some of my first ideas about sexuality in Christianity. However, as an adult, my first thoughts about homosexuality within the Christian faith came as I was reading a book. It was a book about Martin Luther. The story of Martin Luther’s life and what he did to spread the the word of God is absolutely amazing! I feel everyone should have some knowledge of the story of his life and his journey through life.

His story gave me my first history lesson on past leaders of the Catholic church and their lifestyles. In reading the book, I learned that Pope Leo X was a homosexual. Then I learned how other pope’s and Catholic priests indulged in openly practicing homosexuality throughout history. When I first learned that… it blew me away!

Are There Christian Homosexuals?

Surely many Catholic leaders in the past and present believe so, whether publicly or privately. But, the Catholic church does oppose homosexuality, as seen in the Catechism of the Catholic Church para. 2357, which states…

~Homosexual acts are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.~

It’s obvious that the Bible is against homosexuality as a sexual preference. There are multiple scriptures in the Bible that speak directly against it, and regard it as sinful. And, I think that if there was just one scripture, just one, that promoted a homosexual lifestyle… I promise you it would be shouted from the rooftops and quoted on CNN daily, or every other day. I feel the God of the Bible is clearly against it.

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My Perspective on Homosexuality

I’m not gay, nor do I have a problem with gays or lesbians or anyone in their sexual preference community. I know a few people who claim to be homosexual, but I definitely don’t talk to them about their sexual preference.

I look at it from this perspective… I know every Christian struggles with some type of sin, whether if it’s lying, stealing, cursing, having sex out of wedlock, etc. So, since we all sin and have to confess our sins in order to be forgiven… why can’t there be such a thing as a Christian homosexual, if they acknowledge their sin?

Who am I to judge someone else’s faith? Everyone has different problems that they have to overcome. If someone loves God with all their heart, and loves others as they love themselves and as Christ loves them, then I feel they’re doing pretty good.

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Popular Christians such as, music artists Jennifer Knapp and Tonex, and we can’t forget the infamous pastor Ted Haggard… these people and more have brought homosexuality to the forefront in modern-day Christianity. I feel people definitely need to think about how they feel about homosexuality, and be able to discuss it openly with clarity.

This is Martin Luther’s view of homosexuality and it is recorded in a book called, What Luther Says:

The vice of the Sodomites is an unparalleled enormity. It departs from the natural passion and desire, planted into nature by God, according to which the male has a passionate desire for the female. Sodomy craves what is entirely contrary to nature. Whence comes this perversion? Without a doubt it comes from the devil. After a man has once turned aside from the fear of God, the devil puts such great pressure upon his nature that he extinguishes the fire of natural desire and stirs up another, which is contrary to nature.

I chose not to post any scripture references in this post… as it is obvious the Bible doesn’t condone homosexuality. I personally believe homosexuality is a sin. It is an unnatural lust for someone of the same sex. I understand my views aren’t shared by all. I also hope that no one feels as though I’m judging them, as I’m not perfect. My duty as a Christian is first and foremost to love others, not judge others.

I also will not be pressured to by any community to conform to their beliefs or practices. I continue to seek wisdom and clear understanding on topics like these, like everyone else, as I don’t know everything.